Groundbreaking for new ammunition plant in Marshall, TX

Groundbreaking for new ammunition plant in Marshall, TX

It's a sign of workforce growth in Marshall, Texas. Rio Ammunition is now hiring.

(Kimberly Rusley)

It's a sign of workforce growth in Marshall, Texas.

Wednesday morning officials broke ground for a new facility to house Rio Ammunition, an international shotgun shell manufacturer.

Over $15 million will be invested in state of the art equipment and machinery for the new facility, located in the Marshall Business Park.

"There's potential for growth here for that type of company and what they're looking to do in the United States is huge, and it's going to be huge potential for Marshall and surrounding Harrison County," says Marshall Mayor Ed Smith.

Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus came in for the announcement, saying this lets international companies know that the Lone Star state is open for business.

"Marshall has hit the bullseye on economic development," says Straus. "The establishment of an initial 60 new jobs here in Marshall is a...makes a big impact on a community like this."

The company will hire 60 to 80 workers to put together hunting and target load shotgun shells.

Fernando Cubells, one of four general managers for Rio's parent company, Maxam, says he chose the City of Marshall because of the warm welcome the company received.

"They are really friendly people and open,” says Cubells. “That makes the difference with other alternatives we had in the past to establish our plant."

Maxam has divisions in the United Kingdom and Spain, and they are looking to expand to the United States. Right now the company is opening up a facility in Tennessee as well as Marshall.

"I have to say that this state is basically one of the more friendly states [regarding] ammunition and guns," says Cubells.

Now that the announcement has been made, 100 construction workers will work feverishly to meet the November deadline.